Last year’s Big Ten league was pretty terrible. Only four teams ranked, and the two that did (Michigan and Nebraska) were ranked 24 and 25, and the second best team, Northwestern, finished 17. Ouch. In fact, the Big 10 hasn’t won a national championship since Ohio State in 2002. So, let’s review the teams for the upcoming 2013 season.

Urban Meyer had an awful year last year with a 12-0 record. He is not known for keeping his players in line, either at his previous post as Gators head coach and the Aaron Hernandez shenangians or with his current Buckeye players. He really needs to step up, but with players Braxton Miller as QB and Carlos Hyde as RB, they have a shot at ending the SEC’s reign.

The Detroit native, Devon Gardner, will start his junior year season as the starting QB after only playing a little last season, and at WR for parts of his first two years. Brady Hoke has done an excellent job recruiting high quality talent, such as newbie running back Derrick Green, to support his pro-style offense, and the go away from the spread offense of previous coach Rich Rodriguez. They’re looking good this year!

While the Wildcats were the second best team of the Big 10 last year, they still weren’t particularly noticeable. They still have the very talented senior running back, Venric Mark and the equally thoughtful coach, Pat Fitzgerald. This year, the Wildcats have a huge advantage as Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State will play on their home grass.

The Huskers have had a rough go of it lately. Every season they have huge expectations, and the last two seasons have been particularly bad, specifically when Wisconsin creamed them 70-31 in the title game. This year isn’t shaping up too great either with another year of Martinez.

Under penalty last year for the Sandusky scandal, The Nittany Lions should do well this year under Bill O’Brien. Unfortunately, they are still ineligible for the postseason for three more years. The team is made up of high quality tight ends, like Breneman

The Spartans defense looks stellar again this year, as they did last year. Their offense game, on the other hand, needs a ton of help. They lost a key player in RB Le’Veon Bell. Their passing game needs a ton of help too. On their side is a weak schedule in their favor which might propel them into a quality bowl.

The new coach, Gary Andersen, hails from Utah State, after previous coach Bret Bielema departed for Fayetteville. The Badgers will continue on with the power running game, but the new OC has big plans to improve the passing game. The Badgers are blessed with an easy schedule, they don’t play Michigan, Michigan State or Nebraska, so they’ll lack the game play to somehow get into the Rose Bowl for a fourth year.

The Hoosiers had the most passing yards per game in the Big Ten last . Indiana has an abysmal track record, with having played in one bowl in the last 20 seasons, but this year they have an advantage with an easier schedule than 2012. Head Coach Kevin Wilson has his choice this year of starting QB with Cameron Coffman, Tre Roberson, and the rising sophomore Nate Sudfeld.

The Boilermakers have high hopes with new coach from Kent State, Darrell Hazell. Hopefully he is able to work some magic on this team, who have only had one double digit win since 1979. Ouch. A lot of things are not on Purdue’s side, like a challenging schedule and an inexperienced backfield.

Last year was pretty lackluster for the Gophers with only a 6-7 season with a loss to coach-less Texas Tech in a pre-New Year’s Day bowl. Minnesota takes on terrible opponents in the non-con schedule , so there is a good chance they could be 4-0 heading into conference play.

Coach Ferentz is back again and his team is just above .500 since 2005, if the fluke 2009 Orange Bowl season was toss out that is. An unnamed QB starts this year and they have a tough schedule. The 2013 season is not shaping up well for the Hawkeyes.

Senior QB, Nate Scheelhaase is expected to have another stellar season, Heisman-worthy, even. The team, though, might be a different story. Scheelhaase, is a run-first, pass-last type of guy. Good news for Illinois, though, is that they move tot he West division next year.

So there you have it, the good, the bad and the ugly of the 2013 Big Ten Football.

After 8 weeks of college football in the books, the BCS picture is still up in the air as teams are jockeying for position. While the top two teams are from the SEC (Alabama and Florida), three teams will be looking to make their case for the BCS title game this week (Oregon, Kansas State and Notre Dame). In this week’s Game of the Week (GOTW), Notre Dame will have their shot to get a quality win with a road game against the #8 Oklahoma Sooners. A win for Notre Dame and they could move up a couple of notches and put themselves in a great position to be consider for the National Championship game. No matter who you are rooting for it should be a great defensive battle on Saturday.

It’s Monday and that means it’s time to take a look at what is happening this week in the world of sports, music and theater. Our top event this week is none other than country music superstar Jason Aldean. Jason Aldean’s 2012 My Kinda Party tour is making some major waves in the ticket resale market. Joining Aldean on tour will be Luke Bryan and former American idol contestant Lauren Alaina. Jason Aldean’s show at the Amway Center in Orlando came in at #4 this week and his show in Fayetteville Arkansas just missed the list at #11.

Also, making a strong showing this week are the NFC (#2) and AFC (#5) Championship games. Ticket interest in the NFC Championship game is especially high as most fans expected the Green Bay Packers to be hosting the big game. Since they lost, the 49ers will get the honors.

With the upset of the Green Bay Packers, the 49ers get to host the NFC Championship game against the NY Giants. Tickets officially go on sale on Wednesday but there are plenty of tickets already listed on the secondary market.

The baby boomers sure are excited about the Frankie Valli and the Four Season 3 night stand at the Community Theatre in Morristown. With lots of shows scheduled for 2012 this might be a big time sleeper!

The Patriots in the AFC Championship game is a bit old-hat for Bostonites. This game would surely be higher on the list had Patriots fans not gotten complacent over the years with such successful teams.

The AN FIM World Championship (I have no idea what that means) is apparently a big event with the west coast X games fans. I have to admit that seeing a Supercross in Dodger Stadium would be pretty cool though.

This top 10 list is compiled from data from our partner website Tickifieds. Events are ranked by using a combination of page views, search queries, and unique visitors.

While, once again, the top weekend events list is dominated by college football, a few other events did manage to make the list.

First and foremost being the UFC Fight taking place between BJ Penn and Nick Diaz in Vegas. This will the Diaz’s first fight since 2006. His supporters say that he has transformed from a mediocre boxer to one of the best strikers in the division. The fight was originally supposed to be between Diaz and Georges St- Pierre until St-Pierre sprained his knee. This fight has had so many ups and downs already, that it should prove to be a very interesting event.

In other non-NCAA related football happenings, Corey Smith will be playing in Jacksonville, FL. The country singer has shown up on the top events weekend list before. His booze-driven lyrics are very popular with the college-aged crowd. He’s one to watch. Of the oddball singers to appear on this list is Roger Hodgson, the British musician and songwriter and former co-front man of the band Supertramp. He has been performing solo since 1984.

The top college football game this weekend is Auburn vs. Ole Miss…two strong Southern teams will take on each other. While neither is in any contention for the SEC championship title (who can compete against the LSU tigers anyways?), it should still be a fun game. There’s still a slim possibility of the the Auburn Tigers getting ranked, if all the cards and starts align.

Obviously, Big-Ten teams always draw a huge crowd and fans flock to see the games. This is a pivotal game for Illinois, as this could set the tone for the remainder of their season, particularly since they lead the Big Ten in rushing yardage per game. Penn State is still expected to come out ahead in this game though.

Well, it’s Thursday. I totally blew is and forgot about Labor Day and my week’s been all messed up. So, your Wednesday Top Weekend Events post is coming to you one day late. Happy Thursday!

The top weekend event is the US Open Tennis – Session 24 which is the Men’s Semifinals. The US Open has been plagued by rainy conditions. Top players Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray were infuriated with the United States Tennis Association for starting their matches in a light mist yesterday. Their matches were halted after a mere 15 minutes. The players stated that they didn’t feel “protected” and that the Association was solely after money. The four players are rescheduled to play today, weather permitting, and whoever comes over the victor will go on to play this weekend in the Quarterfinals tomorrow and semifinals on Saturday and Sunday.

Of course, not to be out shown, NCAA Football is large and in charge on the top weekend list. The top game this weekend is Penn State vs. Alabama, which kind of seems like an odd pairing; a Big-Ten team versus an SEC Team. Alabama is ranked #3 and Penn State at #23. If Penn State upsets the Crimson Tide, it would be a momentous occasion.

The Notre Dame vs. Michigan game should be of no surprise to draw huge interest. Both teams draw huge crowds on their own, but since it’s drivable distance between the two, the interest is even greater. Even more so, this game will be played under the lights of Michigan Stadium and both teams will be wearing retro uniforms.

For your concert news and events, Grace Potter will take the stage this Sunday in Nashville. Her celebrity has really increased a lot after her discovery by Kenny Chesney on You Tube. That’s not the bands only claim to fame, they have written many tracks for One Tree Hill, performed at 2009 Bonnaroo Music Festival and opened for Dave Matthews Band in 2008. Keep your eye on Grace Potter and the Nocturnals!

In summation, things to keep your eye on in the coming future NCAA Football (obviously), NFL Football, MLS Soccer, and Jason Aldean.